Why being an overprotective parent isnt necessarily a bad thing

Why being an overprotective parent isnt necessarily a bad thingWhy being an overprotective parent isnt necessarily a bad thingHelicopter. Hoverer. Shadow. Overprotective. These are typically the big bads ofparenting. You couldnt love your littles anymore than you already do, and you want only the best for them. Thats why youre kind of cautious when it comes to just about everything your kiddo does. But before you buy into the idea that all overprotective mothers are ruining their childrens lives, check out how you might actually be helping them.1. Its your style. Forget about themommy-shamersand internet trollsTheyre everywhere and have one mission only - to put everyone who doesnt share their beliefs and values down. Some parents lean more toward hovering than others. If thats your style, embrace it. As long as your actions are only in your kiddos best interest, theres no reason to feel like youre wrong for being a cautious parent.2. Youre tempering your childs inner Evel KnievelOv erprotective parents are famous for shutting down risk-taking behaviors. While the constant, Honey, I dont think thats safe comments may make a child overly anxious, some kids need a modest degree of tempering. In other words - riding a bike with the neighborhood kids (while wearing a helmet of course) is a-okay, but swan diving from the top of the climber into a thinly spread puddle of mulch is not.3. Youre showing your loveWhen caution comes with a side of, Because I love you so much and not a heavy helping of, Because I dont want you to, its not always a bad thing. As long as the caution is caring and not stifling, youre not being the much-judged version of a helicopter parent.4. Caution can be age-appropriateNot allowing your 14-year-old to walk down the street with their friends and spend the afternoon playing a pick-up game of baseball without you hovering nearby isnt age-appropriate. But not allowing your four-year-old to do the same is completely okay. Measure your overprot ective nature next to what is acceptable for your childs age and developmental level. At some ages, caution is absolutely a do.5. Childhood only happens onceYou might not want your preschooler going down the slide backward - it may seem overprotective, but it may also save them from spending the rest of the summer with a broken bone. A pinch of protectiveness while encouraging fun can make childhood memories for all the right reasons.6. Being protective doesnt always equal helicopterYou might caution your kiddo against swimming in the deep end of the pool or forbid going up the slide (instead of sliding down), but that doesnt exactly put you in the dreaded helicopter category. There is a distinction between being protective and being overprotective, and being protective can still allow room for your child to make and learn from their other mistakes.7. Your child has your attentionYour kiddo is probably keenly aware that youre watching them. Even though there will come a time when t hat watchful eye will do little more than annoy your child, right now (when your littles are actually little), the attention is very much welcomed.8. Youre creating a sense of connectionWhile there is something to be said for independence, a healthy sense of dependence can breed a sense of community that supports your growing child. You want your child to grow up knowing that theyre an independent and (someday) self-sufficient individual. But you also want your child to know that they dont have to go it alone. When you caution your child against potentially risky activities or offer to help them out, youre teaching them about empathy and prosocial behaviors. And thats never a bad thing.This article first appeared on Brit + Co.